Soccer, football or whatever

Thursday, August 24, 2017

This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Manchester United under Sir Matt Busby. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League. Miguel Muñoz was the coach of Real Madrid from 1960 to 1974, leading the team to two European Cup victories and nine La Liga titles. In 1960, he led Real Madrid in the famous victory against Eintracht Frankfrut in Glasgow. Many considered it as the greatest game ever played. In 1966, he led the team known as Ye-Ye team as they won the 1966 European Cup.

Francisco Gento with Ye-Ye team in 1966

TeamGK: Rogelio Dominguez (Argentina)He played around the same time as Carrizo. He earned 59 caps. He missed the 1958 World Cup Finals because he moved to Real Madrid in 1957 and Argentina did not select overseas players. With Real Madrid, he won two European Cups. Before Real Madrid, he played for Racing Club.

Rogelio Dominguez

GK: García Remón (Spain)Born in Madrid, Remón was best known for his spells with Real Madrid. He then began an interesting battle for first-choice status with Miguel Ángel González which would last for the vast majority of his stay. Remón would start from 1971 to 1973 and 1979 to 1981. Earned two caps for Spain.

GK: Antonio BetancortBetancourt played as a goalkeeper for Las Palmas, Real Madrid, and Deportivo La Coruña, as well as for the Spanish national team. He went to the 1966 World Cup Finals in England.RB: Marquitos (Spain)During his career, he played for hometown's Racing de Santander, Real Madrid, Hércules CF, Real Murcia, Calvo Sotelo and Toluca de Santander. With the Merengues, he won six La Liga championships and five European Cups: in the 1955–56 edition of the latter, he scored a rare goal as he equalized 3–3 against Stade de Reims, in an eventual 4–3 success. Capped twice.

CB: Manuel Sanchís Martínez (Spain)Like his son, Manuel, he represented Real Madrid and Spain. They were one of only three father/son pairs to have won the European Cup/Champions League. He played in 213 La Liga games over the course of ten seasons. He also represented CD Condal, Real Valladolid and Córdoba CF. An international during nearly two years, Sanchís appeared with the national team at the 1966 World Cup.

Manuel Sanchís Martínez

CB: Ignacio Zoco (Spain)Zoco played 12 years of his professional career with Real Madrid, appearing in more than 400 official games and winning ten major titles. He was a part of the team that won the European Cup in 1966. Zoco played more than 20 times with Spain, winning the 1964 European Nations' Cup and also representing the nation at the 1966 World Cup.CB: Jose Santamaria (Uruguay)Jose Santamaria was a member of Real Madrid's all-conquering team of the late 1950's. He spent his 18-year career with Nacional and Real Madrid, winning 17 major titles the two teams combined, including four European Cups with the latter. He was considered one of the best ever center-backs.CB: Pedro de Felipe (Spain)Pedro de Felipe arrived at Real Madrid in 1964 at the age of 20, from Rayo Vallecano. He was a part of the team that won the European Cup in 1966. In 1972, he left for Espanyol. Capped once.CB: Benito (Spain)Benito started as a track and field star. He signed for Real Madrid in the 1963. After two years on loan to neighbouring Rayo Vallecano, he returned to his main club, remaining there for the following 14 seasons and winning six leagues and five Spanish Cups. Capped 22 times.

LB: Pachín (Spain)Pachín signed for Real Madrid in 1959 from Segunda División club CA Osasuna. Pachín left the Merengues in May 1968, having appeared in 218 competitive games and scored two goals. He won 11 major titles during his spell, including seven national championships and the 1960 and 1966 editions of the European Cup. He earned 8 caps and played in the World Cup Finals in 1962.DM: Jose Pirri(Spain)He is regarded as one of Spain's greatest player. He played in two WC Finals. He played for Real Madrid for 15 years, between 1964 and 1979, winning ten Spanish league titles, four Spanish cups, and the 1966 European Cup. He was a member of the Real Madrid team that was known as the Yé-Yé team.

Jose Pirri

CM: José María Zárraga (Spain)Zárraga signed for Real Madrid in 1949, but made his La Liga debut in 1951. From 1953–60, Zárraga was an important midfield unit as the Merengues won 11 major titles, including five consecutive European Cups. Earned 8 caps and served once as the captain of the national team.CM: Fernando Serena (Spain)Serena played for Real Madrid for five years, and was a part of their European Cup winning squad in 1966. He scored the winning goal in the final, receiving the ball on his chest, letting it bounce in front of him before volleying it in from outside the box. He earned one cap for the Spanish National Team. Serena also played for CA Osasuna, Elche CF, and UE Sant Andreu.

CM: Luis del Sol (Spain)Luis del Sol started with Real Betis. In 1960, he joined Real Madrid, winning five major titles with the latter side, and earning several Ballon d'Or nominations. In the 1962, del Sol signed for Juventus, becoming the club's first ever Spanish player; he was assigned the club's number 10 shirt in 1965, following Omar Sívori's departure to Napoli, and made a total of 292 outings in eight seasons. Del Sol represented Spain at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups and was also part of the championship-winning squad at the 1964 European Nations' Cup, RW/FW: Amancio Amaro(Spain)Nicknamed "El Brujo". He played outside right for Deportivo de La Coruña before joining Real Madrid in 1962. He was considered the star of the team in the 1960's. He scored one of the most beautiful goal in European Cup history when Real Madrid lifted the title in 1966.He was capped 42 times. He won the 1964 European Football Championship.

Amancio Amaro

LW: Francisco Gento(Spain)He is regarded as one of the greatest left wings in history. Gento began his career at Racing Santander in 1952 and moved to Real Madrid the following season. He appeared in a joint record eight European Cup finals, winning a record six, as well as winning 12 La Liga titles. In a 14-year international career, Gento earned 43 caps for Spain, playing at the World Cup in 1962 and 1966.

Francisco Gento with Miguel Munoz (R)

AM: Juan Santisteban (Spain)Santisteban was a part of Real Madrid in the 1950's that won 5 straight European Cup. He also played for Venezia, Real Betis and Baltimore Bays. He also earned 7 caps.AM: Manuel Velázquez (Spain)Except 3 loan seasons to Rayo Vallecano and CD Málaga, Velázquez spent all of his 12 years in La Liga with Real Madrid. He went on to appear in 402 competitive games for his main club whilst scoring 59 goals, winning six national championships, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 1965–66 edition of the European Cup. He ended his career at the age of 35, after six months in the North American Soccer League with Toronto Metros-Croatia. Earned 10 caps.

Manuel Velázquez

CM/AM/FW: Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina)The best player in the world before the emerge of Pele and Maradona. He was one of the younger member of the great River Plate in the 1940's. In 1949, he moved to play in Colombia before moving to Europe in 1953. He won 5 straight European Cups with Real Madrid. He was credited in turning Real Madrid into a legendary club. His international career was limited to the fact that Argentina did not select overseas players. He played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain.

Alfredo Di Stefano

FW: Evaristo (Brazil)Evaristo played for Madureira and Flamengo before moving to Barcelona in 1957, where he stayed until 1962. Then, in 1962, Samitier left Barcelona for Real Madrid, where he played between the two European Cup winning teams. He was 14 times for Brazil.FW: Ramon Grosso (Spain)Grosso was home grown player from Real Madrid. He had a a four-month spell with neighbouring Atlético Madrid before returning to Real Madrid, going on to remain there for the following 12 years. Even though he shared teams with the likes of Amancio Amaro, Francisco Gento or Ferenc Puskás, Grosso was team top scorer in his first two seasons. In the following years, Grosso played in several positions for Real Madrid, even being placed as goalkeeper in the Ramón de Carranza Trophy match with Boca Juniors. Earned 14 caps.ST: Carlos Santillana(Spain)Best known for his Real Madrid spell, which consisted of 17 La Liga seasons and 643 official games. Santillana moved to Real Madrid in 1971 as a heir apparent to Puskus. He played over 450 matches for Real Madrid. He won back-to-back UEFA Cup in the mid-1980's. He also plated for Racing Club Santander. He represented his country in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cups, as well as three European Championships: 1976, reaching the quarter-finals, 1980, failing to advance to the second round, and 1984 which ended with a runner-up finish to hosts France.

Carlos Santillana

ST/FW: Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)He was one of the greatest footballers in history. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and led his nation to the final of the 1954 World Cup where he was named the tournament's best player. He played with Honved at home and went to Real Madrid after the Soviet invasion. With Alfredo Di Stefano, Raymond Kapo, etc, Real Maadrid became the greatest club team in history.

Ferenc Puskas

Honorable MentionJosé Luis Peinado, Manuel Bueno,Vicente Miera, José Araquistáin, Antonio Betancort, Jose Vicente TrainSquad Explanation-- Miguel Angel did not play much under Miguel Muñoz. The third keeper was between José Araquistáin, Antonio Betancort and Jose Vicente Train. -- Vicente del Bosque also played one season under -- Camacho arrived after the departure of Miguel Muñoz.-- Evaristo was better known for his career with Barcelona, but he also won two league titles with Real Madrid.Formation

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Please also see myAll-Time World Cup Team Index.This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Manchester United under Sir Matt Busby. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League. Sir Matt Busby managed Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–71 season. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time. In a total of 25 years with the club, he won 13 trophies, including the 1968 European Cup. During the 1950's, he built the famous Busby Babes team. Sadly, part of that team was killed in the Munich air disaster.

Busby Babes 1957

TeamGK: Alex Stepney (England)Stepney
played with Millwall before joining Chelsea. he only played one game
and was sold to Manchester United to replace Harry Greg who was injured
during the Munich Disaster. Stepney helped the Red Devils to win the
1968 European Cup.

GK: Harry Gregg (N.Ireland)Matt Busby's goalkeeper from 9 seasons. He survived the Munich Air Disaster. He was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament at the 1958 World Cup, where Northern Ireland reached the quarter-finals.

GK: Jack Crompton (England)Crompton was a goalkeeper for Manchester United between 1944 and 1956. He was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 1948 and the league title in 1952. During the Second World War, he played as a guest for Stockport CountyRB/LB: John Carey (Ireland/N.Ireland) In
1949, he was voted the FWA Footballer of the Year and in the same year
captained the FAI XI that defeated England, becoming the first non-UK
team to beat England at home.CB: Jackie Blanchflower (Northern Ireland)Along with his brother Danny, he helped Northern Ireland to qualify for the World Cup Finals. He was a member of Busby Babes. He survived the Munich Air Disaster, but his career was cut short.CB: Allenby Chilton (England)Chilton transferred to Manchester United in 1938. He played over 350 games until 1955. However, his early career was cut short by the Second World War although he made guest appearances for Airdrieonians, Cardiff City, Hartlepools United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic who he helped to win the War Cup South Final in 1944. He served in the Durham Light Infantry and saw active service in the Normandy Landings also in 1944.CB: Bill Foulkes (England)Foulkes played for Manchester United in the Busby Babes teams of the 1950s, and also in the 1960s. His favoured position was centre-half. For Manchester United, he played 688 games which places him at number 4 on the all-time list of appearances. Capped once for England.

Bill Foulkes

CB/CM: David Sadler (England)Sadler started his career with Maidstone United, but signed a professional contract with Manchester United in 1963, helping the club win the 1965 and 1967 First Division Football League championships as well as the 1968 European Cup. He left United in 1974 after scoring 27 goals for the club to join Preston North End, who were being managed by Sadler's former team-mate Bobby Charlton. Capped 4 times.LB: Roger Byrne (England)Byrne
was the captain of the Busby Babes. With Manchester United, he won the
league title in 1952, 1956 and 1957. He earned 33 caps with England
while playing in every England's fixtures in that period, a record for
England. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 28 in the Munich Air
Disaster.

Roger Byrne

LB: Tommy Dunne (Ireland)Dunno played 13 seasons with Manchester United. He was a part of the team that won the European Cup in 1968. He later played for Bolton Wanderers and Detroit Express. He won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland, playing for the national team in 1962–1975. He was Irish Footballer of the Year in 1969.LB: Shay Brennan (Ireland)Born in Manchester, Shay was an original Busby Babe. He made his debut on the first game after Munich Air Disaster. Capped 19 times for Ireland.

DM: Nobby Stiles (England)Stiles played for England for five years, winning 28 caps and scoring 1 goal. He played every minute of England's victorious 1966 FIFA World Cup campaign. Stiles played the majority of his club career for Manchester United, spending eleven years at Old Trafford. He won the European Cup in 1968. After retirement, he was famously known for the youth coach for Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholas, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

Nobby Stiles

CM: Duncan Edwards (England)Edwards was one of the Busby Babes of Manchester United. He made his professional debut at the age of 16. He died in 1958
during the Munich Air Disaster. Many people considered him to be
England's greatest player. He was capped 18 times between 1955 and 1957, scoring 5 goals.

Duncan Edwards

CM: Pat Crerand (Scotland)Crerand started with Celtic in his native Scotland. After six years at Celtic he moved to Manchester United in 1963 where he was a member of teams that won the English League title twice, the FA Cup and European Cup. He also gained 16 international caps for Scotland.RW/WH: Eddie Colman (England)Colman was one of the eight Manchester United players who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster. He joined Manchester United's youth team on leaving school in the summer of 1952. He became a first-team member at right-half during the 1955-56 season. He made 108 first-team appearances for United, scoring two goals, the second of which came in the first leg of the fateful European Cup quarter-final tie against Red Star Belgrade.

LW/RW: George Best (Northern Ireland)Considered
to be one of the greatest players ever played the game. He was one of
the "United's Trinity". He led Manchester United to their first (and
also first ever for an English club) European Cup in 1968. He won the
PWA PLayer of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or that year.

George Best with Matt Busby

LW: Albert Scanlon (England)Scanlan was one of the "Busby Babes" who survived the Munich air disaster of 1958. He Although he sustained severe injuries, he recovered and continued to play league football for Newcastle United, Lincoln City and Mansfield Town. AM: Sir Bobby Charlton (England)He
was considered one of the greatest midfielders of all-time. He led
England to WC victory in 1966 and then, Manchester United to its first
European Cup in 1968. He is also England's all-time leading scorer. He
won the Ballon D'Or in 1966.

Bobby Charlton with Busby

FW: Stan Pearson (England)Pearson was signed by Manchester United as an amateur in December 1935. He stayed with the club until 1953. He retired in 1953 with 148 career goals. His hat-trick against Liverpool in 1946 would be the last hat-trick by a Manchester United player against thm until Dimitar Berbatov did it in 2010. Capped 8 times.FW: David Herd (Scotland)Herd played for Arsenal, Manchester United, Stockport County, and Stoke City. He was the 15th leading scorer with Arsenal. With Manchester United, he won the European Cup in 1968. Capped 5 times for Scotland.

FW: Denis Law (Scotland)Law spent 11 years at Manchester United, where he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances. His goals tally places him third in the club's history, behind Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney. He partnered George Best and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United, which was considered to be most popular forward line in British history. He was capped 55 times. He managed to play in the 1974 WC Finals.

Denis Law

FW: Brian Kidd (England)From Manchester United's Academy, he was promoted to first team in 1967. He had the distinction of scoring on his 19th birthday for Manchester United in their 4–1 victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final. He all in all scored 52 times in 203 league appearances for Manchester United. He later played for Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Minnesota Strikers. Capped twice. ST: Jack Rowley (England)Rowley mainly remembered for a 17-year spell with Manchester United. He was nicknamed "The Gunner" because of his prolific goalscoring and explosive shooting, scoring 211 goals in 424 appearances for United between 1937 and 1954. He is one of only four players in the history of Manchester United to score over 200 goals for the club. Rowley was also capped six times for England scoring six goals, four of which came against Northern Ireland on 16 November 1949.

ST: Dennis ViolletHe came through the junior ranks at Manchester United and turned professional in 1950. His first game for the club came against arch-rivals Newcastle United on 11 April 1953. He was a striker, along with Tommy Taylor for the Busby Babes of the 1950s. He was a survivor of the Munich air disaster. ST: Tommy Taylor (England)Taylor was one of the eight Manchester United players who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster. He started with Barnley and moved to Manchester United in 1953. For England, he was seen as the perfect eventual replacement for the ageing Nat Lofthouse in the England side. In all, he played 19 times for England, scoring 16 goals.

Tommy Taylor

Honorable MentionReg Allen, Ray Wood, Noel Cantwell, John Fitzpatrick, Willie Morgan.Squad Explanation-- The "Busby Babes" is the name given to the group of footballers, recruited and trained by Manchester United F.C. chief scout Joe Armstrong and assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, who progressed from the club's youth team into the first team under the management of the eponymous Matt Busby from the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. So Busby Babes were not every player who played under Sir Busby.-- The team is not balanced. I took three left backs. I never selected a team with more than 2 fullbacks on one side.FormationI tried my best to put the best XI on the field.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for players who played for Bobby Robson(club players only). The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League. Bobby Robson had a colourful career as a manager. he first made a name with Ipswich Town, where he won the 1978 FA Cup and the 1981 UEFA Cup. After a very successful career managing the English national team, he began a career outside of the United Kingdom. He is probably the most successful British manager coaching in the continental Europe.

GK: Vitor Baia (Portugal/Porto/Barcelona)He was Portugal's most decorated keeper. He was one of two keepers who had won all three UEFA main club competitions. With Porto, he won 26 titles, including the Champions League in 2004. He played in the Euro 1996 and 2000, and the WC finals in 2002.GK: Shay Given (Ireland/Newcastle United)Given started his career with Celtic, but made his professional debut with Blackburn Rovers. He was remembered for playing with Newcastle United from 1997 to 2009. He was voted into PFA Team of the Year twice, 2001-2002 and 2005-2006. He earned 126 caps for Ireland. He played in the 2002 WC Finals and Euro 2010.GK: Hans Van Breukelen (Holland/PSV)He started his career with FC Utrecht and then, Nottingham Forest. He moved to PSV in 1984, where he became a star. For the nnational team, he was a fixture since 1980. However, he did not help the Oranje to reach a major touranemt until in 1988, where they won the first ever trophy for the national team.RB: Joao Pinto (Portugal/Porto)Bobby Robson said of him: "He has two hearts and four legs. It's extremely difficult to find a player like him." He won the European Cup in 1987 with Porto. He was one of Porto's greatest fullback.He spent his entire professional career with Porto, winning nine leagues and the 1987 European Cup.

Joao Pinto

RB:: Eric Gerets (Belgium/PSV)He is considered one of the greatest European rightbacks in history. His best career was spent with Standard de Liège and PSV Eindhoven. He won the 1988 European Cup with PSV. Gerets was capped 86 times. He played big role as the Red Devils finished second at the Euro 1980 and reached the semi-final of the WC 1986 Finals.CB: Fernando Couto (Portugal/Porto/Barcelona)Fernando Couto won the Double in every leagues he played in and in three different countries. He was a member of Portugal's Golden Generation that won won the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship. He earned 110 caps.CB: Jorge Costa (Portugal)Except at the very end of his career,Jorge Costa played his entire career with Porto, serving as its captain for a few seasons. He won the 2003 UEFA Cup and the 2004 Champions League with them. He was a part of the Golden Generation that won the U-20 World Cup in 1991. He represented Portugal at Euro 2000 and the World Cup 2002.CB: Terry Butcher (England)Butcher was one of England's greatest defenders. He captained the England national team, winning 77 caps in a ten-year international career that featured three FIFA World Cups. Butcher also enjoyed success in his club career, particularly with Ipswich Town and Rangers. With Ipswich, he was a part of Bobby Robson's team that won the UEFA Cup in 1981. In 1986, he joined Rangers as one of the first wave of English players playing for Graeme Souness' Rangers in the 1980's.

Terry Butcher

CB/DM: Gheorghe Popescu (Romania/PSV/Barcelona)He was perhaps the most famous Romanian defender and the second most important player during Romania's Golden Generation in the 1990's. He was Romanian Player of the Year 6 times. In 2000, he helped Galatasaray to win the UEFA Cup, the first time ever for a Turkish club. CB: Russell Osman (England/Ipswich)Osman spent 11 seasons with Ipswich. He also played in the Football League for Leicester City, Southampton, Bristol City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Cardiff City. Osman played senior international football for England, for whom he received eleven caps.RB/LB: Mick Mills (England/Ipswich)Mills holds the record for appearance with Ipswich Town. He became the captain of Ipswich in 1971, where he formed a close relationship with manager Bobby Robson. He also played with Southampton and Stoke City. Mills was capped 42 times. He captained England at the 1982 World Cup Finals.

Mick Mills

CB/LB: Kevin Beattie (England/Ipswich)Beattie was a key player for Bobby Robson's great Ipswich side of the 1970's and early 1980's. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 1973-1974. He played 9 times for England.

CM: Arnold Muhren (Holland/Ipswich)Muhren was one of the few players who had won the European Cup (1972–73), the Cup Winners' Cup (1986–87) and the UEFA Cup (1980–81). He first made his name by playing for Ajax with his brother Gerrie. In 1978, he joined Ipswich, where he became one of the first Dutch players in the league. Capped 23 times. He was a part of the Euro 1988 winning team. He crossed the ball to Marco Van Basten where he scored the famous volley goal in the Final against the Soviet Union.

Arnold Muhren

CM: Pep Guardiola (Spain/Barcelona)He won a Champions' League with Barcelona in 1992. He was their captain from 1997 to 2001. He also played for Brescia and Roma in Italy, Al-Ahli in Qatar, and Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico.CM: John Wark (Scotland/Ipswich)

LW/FW: Luis Enrique (Spain/Barcelona)RW: Luis Figo (Portugal/Sporting CP/Barcelona)He is probably one of Portugal's greatest players. He was the 2000 European Footballer of the Year, the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. He is one of the few football players to have played for both Spanish rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid. His controversial 2000 transfer from Barcelona to bitter rivals Real Madrid set a world record fee of £37 million (€62 million). With Real Madrid, he was the first member of the Galacticos. He won the Champions' League title in 2002.

Luis Figo

LW: Ljuinko Drulovic (Yugoslavia/Porto)In 1992, he went to play for Gil Vicente in Portugal. A year later, he joined Porto, where he won 5 straight, league title. He was also known for his partnership with Mario Jardel, who won the European Golden Shoe. Later in his career, he joined Benfica and FK Partizan.AM/LW: Gary Speed (England)Speed played professionally for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United. He held the record for the most appearances in the Premier League at 535, until it was surpassed by David James. He was best remembered for winning the English league title in 1992 with Leeds United.. He made the PFA Team of the year in 1993. He was capped 85 times for Wales and served as the captain.

Gary Speed

ST: Emil Kostadinov (Bulgaria/Porto)He is best remembered for scoring two goals against France in the World Cup Qualfying match that helped Bulgaria to qualify for the WC in 1994. He was capped 70 times. Professionally, his best stint was with Porto where he spent 4 seasons.ST/FW: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria/Barcelona)He is Bulgaria's greatest player. At the 1994 World Cup, Stoichkov was awarded the Golden Boot as the joint top goal scorer of the tournament with six goals, as well as earning the Bronze Ball award. . At Barcelona he was part of Johan Cruyff's "dream team" that won four consecutive La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1994.

ST Romario (Brazil/PSV)He helped the Seleção to win the 1994 FIFA World Cup, receiving the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He missed the 1998 WC Finals because of an injury. One of very few strikers to surpass the mark of 1,000 goals. He was best remembered for his stint with Barcelona.

Romario

ST: Alan Shearer (England/Newcastle)Shearer is the all-time leading top-scorer for the Premiership. In 1992, he joined Blackburn Rovers from Southampton in a record transfer. He won the Premiership for 1994-1995 season. In 1996, he joined his home town club, Newcastle United for a world record transfer fees. He was FWA Player of the Year in 1994, and PFA Player of the Year in 1995 and 1997. For England, he earned 63 caps. IN 1996, he led England to the semi-final of Euro 1996 at home, winning the Golden boot award. He also played the 1998 WC Finals and Euro 2000.ST: Paul Mariner (England/Ipswich)

ST: Ronaldo (Brazil/Barcelona)He led Brazil to two WC Finals match, winning the one in 2002. He scored 8 goals in 2002. He was the winner of Ballon d'Or twice and the FIFA World Player of the Year three times. He is the second top-scorer in WC history. He played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and for both AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Squad Explanation-- I only considered players from Bobby Robson's club team. -- Cheung Chi Doy (張子岱) of Hong Kong was one of his first ever signings as a manager. Robson signed him for Vancouver Royals(his story here), but he never got to coach the Canadian team. -- The team is geared toward Bobby Robson's Ipswich, where his name was most likely to be associated. However, I tried to take players from different teams.-- Alan Brazil and Eric Gates were some of my favourite players, growing up.-- I am not familiar of his career with Sporting CP.-- Luis Figo also played for Bobby Robson at Sporting CP.-- Bobby Robson considered Ronaldo as the greatest ever player who played for him.-- Bobby Robson also discovered Jose Mourinho who was his translator in Portugal.